A homewares store which opened 16 months ago has closed, with the loss of 27 jobs.

Big D, in Belgrave Road, Leicester, shut it doors after its parent company, Double Vee, went into administration.

The store was opened in November 2007, after securing a lease from its neighbour, Sainsbury's.

The unit had been vacant for almost five years after its previous occupier also collapsed.

Big D's stores in Preston and Lichfield have also closed, although administrators have managed to sell the assets of the group's Cannock outlet.

Situl Devji Raithatha, of administrator Springfields Business Recovery and Insolvency, in Hinckley Road, Leicester, said the company had become the latest victim of the economic downturn.

"The company had grown very quickly and was finding it very difficult because of the downturn," he said.

"The group did have seven stores, but that went down to four before it went into administration.

"They basically sold household goods – from the sorts of things you get in Wilkinson's to those you get in Homebase."

At the time of Big D's arrival in Leicester, managers said they planned a national expansion programme, as a resut of which the group aimed to open a store in every major city.

The store stocked a wide range of goods, including furniture, homeware, DIY equipment, car accessories and flowers. Speaking in November 2007, Double Vee owner Dharan Juneja said the store would create about 50 jobs.

He predicted it would benefit from the high footfall created by Sainsbury's.

He said: "About 35,000 go to the Sainsbury's store every week.

"There are also 550 car parking spaces which we'll share with the store. This is unique. That is what has attracted us to this area."

Discount store Furniture To Go had occupied the unit until March 2003, when it closed after its parent company went into administration.

The collapse saw more than 5,000 people who had paid £17.50 membership – which entitled them to discounts – end up out of pocket.

Big D is the latest Leicester retailer to fall victim to the downturn.

Earlier this month, furniture store Habitat, in High Street, announced it would be closing on May 8.

In the past few weeks, entertainment shop Zavvi has closed with the loss of 28 jobs, while The Original Shoe, The Musician Shop and Whittard of Chelsea have all shut up shop.